Russia’s Progress M-16M spacecraft has successfully docked to the ISS. The launch was a test of a new faster rendezvous profile. For the first time in history the spacecraft reached the ISS just six hours after launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Wednesday. On all previous flights of Soyuz and Progress spacecraft to the ISS, a two-day rendezvous profile has been used, which corresponds to around 50 hours between launch and docking to the ISS. According to Moscow Mission control, the faster orbital maneuver will be used on the guided spaceships in the future, which will facilitate the lives of the spacemen.

The freighter carried 2.6 tons of cargo to the station, including fresh fruit, vegetables, canned fish and water for the ISS crew. It also carried books, presents, fuel, medical and research equipment, bed covers, and hygienic items.